Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength

The changes that power brings to life are immense.

Although I still live in the same house as before.

But today, Ronald's abilities and status make it impossible for him to live unnoticed in the apartment as he once did.

---Even if it's only been three days.

Soon, on the first morning after Ronald moved into the apartment.

Someone came bearing gifts after lunch and knocked on the apartment door.

Knock, knock, knock——

"Excuse me, is Mr. Ronald home?"

A voice inquired from outside the door.

Inside the apartment, Il, bored enough to spin around in place, jumped to the door without even Costa moving forward and opened it:

"Ronald is here! May I ask who you are?"

"I assume... You must be Miss Il?" the visitor outside greeted Il politely before entering the room at her invitation.

Ronald was sitting at his familiar desk.

Just a glance and he instantly recognized the visitor's identity.

This was a sharply dressed businessman, and instead of a button, the top button on his chest was replaced with a chest pin of a silver leaf.

---A member of the Silver Leaf Business Alliance.

A force he had the best relations with, and even once served.

Naturally, Ronald wouldn't turn them away, so he immediately put on a courteous smile:

"Hello, I'm Ronald, may I ask what brings you here?"

"Placque Olstin, one of the division heads of the Silver Leaf Business Alliance."

After introducing himself, the visiting businessman continued:

"Mr. Ronald, I came unannounced mainly to discuss the fleet's sea voyage in two days."

Being a force Ronald had deeply connected with before.

Mr. Placque quite understood Ronald's character, so after meeting him, he didn't beat around the bush with any redundant matters but directly stated his purpose:

"Given that this voyage is an event likely to secure the Original Encyclopedia, the alliance won't let such an opportunity pass. So during the upcoming voyage, the alliance hopes Mr. Ronald can provide some small assistance to our casters, akin to our past collaborations."

Snap——

As he presented his intentions, the businessman placed a small wooden box on Ronald's desk.

"We know you've been collecting some rare meteorites and have made quite some achievements. The alliance naturally wishes to lend a hand to such a refined and elegant passion."

A meteorite...

Ronald already had a favorable impression of the Silver Leaf Business Alliance, not to mention they came bearing such gifts.

He immediately opened the box to inspect the meteorite's composition.

Upon confirming it was a type of meteorite he hadn't collected before, Ronald agreed to the request without hesitation:

"Taking care of the alliance's people once the fleet sets sail is no problem at all."

"However, I must state upfront that this care does not mean compromise without principles."

Upon seeing Ronald accept the meteorite, Placque knew his mission was accomplished. As for the subsequent caveat, he didn't have any amendments:

"Mr. Ronald, we completely understand your stance!"

"So rest assured, the alliance won't request anything that goes against your will. All we seek is the goodwill you exhibit, and some assistance during your leisure time."

"..."

What followed was the expected pleasantry and negotiation.

Regarding this sea voyage, Ronald and the businessman conversed for about an hour before the latter left the apartment satisfied.

Once the visitor's silhouette disappeared at the street's end, Ronald opened the wooden box again, then officially held the meteorite and recited the astronomical magic spell.

"From the relationship between the Earth and the sky, we begin to construct our understanding..."

The magical power inherent in the Original Encyclopedia was simultaneously invoked by the meteorite vessel and the incantation.

In just a blink, Ronald confirmed he had mastered a new spell—Astrolabe.

The ability from Astronomy Master was incredibly formidable.

It could even be said to integrate the true core abilities of the Original Encyclopedia spells!

First, there's the passive ability offered by the Astrolabe spell—sense of direction.

As soon as this spell is activated, the caster will never lose direction, always able to quickly determine their orientation.

As for the active ability—

Once Ronald activates the Astrolabe spell, the terrain recorded in the same Original Encyclopedia spell, Star Map, gets synced and covered by the Astrolabe's ability.

And among all the targets marked in the Star Map, Ronald can choose up to nine, designating them as celestial bodies in the spell system.

This Round, Mean Round, Star Traction, Measure Length, Precession... all these spells can be cast on the nine marked targets directly, ignoring distance. Even special enhancements like Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse can be extended to others through the Astrolabe's ability.

In other words.

With this spell, combined with previous capabilities.

Casters using Astronomy Master spells transform from powerful wizards to formidable beings capable of strategic influence across entire battlefields. Even with Ronald's already powerful abilities, acquiring the Astrolabe has further elevated his combat prowess.

"..."

"What a pleasant surprise this is..."

Faced with an unexpected boon, Ronald couldn't help but exclaim.

Casually removing the meteorite-embedded accessory, Ronald manipulated the spell, swiftly integrating some new meteorite material.

"Ronald, you collect meteorites to activate spells!"

Meanwhile, Il curiously came over.

Though her responses on some common sense are peculiar, she possesses exceedingly high intelligence. Just upon witnessing the scene, Il comprehended all that had occurred with Ronald and deduced some additional information.

For this one whose soul he controlled, Ronald didn't conceal the truth:

"Indeed, the spells in my Original Encyclopedia primarily require meteorites as the medium. As long as I keep collecting these special celestial bodies, I can continually activate its other spells."

Understanding this explanation, Il nodded and recalled her partial mastery of the Organic Encyclopedia.

"So... I also had an Original Encyclopedia back then. Was my method of using it incorrect?"

"That wasn't using the Original Encyclopedia; rather, you strengthened under its passive abilities." Ronald directly corrected Il.

But before he could continue, with an active Reconnaissance Magic alert, Ronald noticed someone approaching the apartment again!

Slightly discerning their magic fluctuations, the visitor's identity was revealed.

"This magic fluctuation belongs to the church..."

Faced with such a situation, Ronald could only smile wryly and shake his head:

"I estimate I'll be quite busy these days."